From long ago, it has been called the "king of one hundred kinds of vegetables" among the Korean people, as it contains various nutrients.

According to historical records, Koreans widely cultivated mallow and took mallow dishes very often in the period of Palhae Kingdom (698-926), a successor state to Koguryo (B.C. 277-A.D. 668).

Such dietary custom also prevailed in Koryo Kingdom (918-1392). Old books compiled in the 13th century say that mallow was used as foodstuff and Koryo medicines at that time.

Along with the extensive cultivation of mallow during the period of feudal Joson dynasty (1392-1910), detailed data on its cultivation and methods of cooking mallow dishes came to be recorded in history books like national classics "Sanrimgyongje" and "Kosasinso".

Today, a new species of mallow, which has higher nutritive value and 6 or 7 times higher productivity than the old one, was reared in the DPRK.